A Tucson-area couple were arrested and jailed on suspicion of child abuse after authorities say four children were allegedly locked in separate rooms for up to 12 hours at a time with no access to food, water, lights or bathroom facilities.

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Benito Gutierrez, 69, and Carol Gutierrez, 64, were each held on $25,000 bond Wednesday, according to Tucson News Now.

The sheriff’s department said deputies went to the home Saturday in response to a 911 call from a store clerk after a boy asked to use the store's phone. Deputies said the boy had left the home through a bedroom window and was in a disheveled condition.

Authorities stated the couple's four adopted children, ages 6 to 12, were found in horrific conditions.

"The children were kept in separate bedrooms which were locked from the outside," a news release stated. "No access to food, water, lights or bathroom facilities for up to 12 hours at a time on a regular basis."

Reports indicate the children were forced to sleep in dirty clothing and bedding when they had an accident. One of the children was forced to go to the bathroom in a bucket kept in his room.

On the weekends the children were locked outside during the day. On occasion, neighbors who saw the children locked out would give them food because the kids said they were hungry.

The kids told investigators they have been living in these conditions for about seven years.

The children didn't tell anyone about their situation. Detectives said the children had interaction with others and went to school regularly, where they were fed two meals.

Neighbor Paul Hernandez told Tucson News Now that his children were friends with the Gutierrez children. He said he never noticed anything off, but now is seeing red flags in retrospect.

"I thought a little bit, but I didn't think it was this route," he said, remarking it isn't strange to see kids that age constantly hungry and thirsty. "That's why I never really thought too much about it. I know, my kid, he's in the same class as him. He eats (so much) out of the house at home. So I wouldn't think that's uncommon."